The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-11-25
miscellaneous.
THE RED CALICO.

| FRANK II. STOCKTON IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
was going into town the other morning
when my wife handed me little piece of red
calico, and asked me il ] would have time
during the day to buy her two yards and a
half of calico like that. | assured herit would
be no trouble at all; and putting the
piece of calico in my pocket l took the
train for the city.
AT lunch time Istepped into a large dry
goUds store to attend to my wife's commits
sion. saw well-dressed man walking the
floor between the counters, where long lines
of girls were waiting on much longer lines
of customers, and asked him where | could
see some red calico
This way, sir" and he led me up the long
store miss Stone" said he to young lady,
"show this gentleman some red Calico"
"What shade do you want?' asked Miss
Stone.
showed her the little piece of calico that
my wife had given me. She looked at it and
handed il back to me. Then she took down
great roll of red calico and spread 1t out on
the counter.
why, that isn't the shaded" said l.
Not exactly" said she; "blt it is prcttier
than your sample"
That may be-" said "but you see want
to match this piece. There is something al
ready made of this kind of calico, which
needs to be made larger or mended, or some
thing. | want some calico of the same
shade"
The girl made no answer, but took down
another roll.
That's the shade" said she.
Yes" replied, "but tits striped"
stripes are worn more than anything else
in calicoes," said she
Yes but this isn't to be worn. It's for
furniture, think At any rate, want per-
fectly plain stuff to match something already
in use."
"Well, don't think you can find it per-
fectly plain, unless you get Turkey red"
What is Turkey red ?" Iasked
Turkey red is perfectly red in calicoes,"
she answered
"Well, let me see some"
1--WE haven't any Turkey red calico left"
she said "but we have some very nice plain
calico in other colors"
81 don't want any other color J want
stuff to match this"
"Its hard to match cheap calico like that"
she said and so left her.
next went into store few doors fur
taer up Broadway. When l entered | ap-
preached the floor walker" and handing
him the sample, said:
"Have you any calico like this?"
Eyes, sir" said he. "Third counter to the
right"
and showed my sample to the salesman in at
Then he said
1--WE haven't any of this"
THAT gentleman said you had" said l.
ave had it, but we're out of tnow. Youth
get that goods at an upholsterer's."
| went across the street to an upho-
sterers.
Have you any stuff like this" asked.
NO" said the salesman, 1--WE haven't. 1t
is for furniture?"
"Yes," replied.
"Then Turkey red is what you want"
as Turkey red just like ths?" / asked.
mo-" said he; "but it's much better"
THAT makes no difference 10 me-" re-
piled. 81 want something just like this"
But they don't use that for furniture"
he said
81 should think people could use anything
they want to for furniture" remarked some
what sharply.
"They can, but they DON'T" he said quite
calmly. "They don't use red like that. They
use Turkey red"
said no more, but left. The next place l
visited was very large dry goods store. OF
the first salesman | saw i inquired if they
kept red calico like my sample.
you'll find that on the second story" he
said.
went up stairs Then asked a man
where will find red calico?"
"In the far room to the left. Right over
there" And he pointed to distant corner.
walked through the crowds of purchas-
ers and sales people, and around the count
ers and tables filled with goods to the far
room 10 the left. When got there asked
! for red calico
"The second counter down on this side"
said the man.
went there and produced my sample
"Callcoes down stairs" said the man.
"They told me they were up here" l
said.
mot these plain goods. You'll find 'em
down stairs AT the back of the store, over on
the side"
went down stairs to the back of the store.
"Where'll find red calico like this"
asked.
Next counter but one" said the man ad.
dressed, walking with me in the direction
pointed out.
Dunn, slow red calicoes."
| Mr.. Dunn took my sample and looked at
| ii.
ave haven't this shade in that quality of
goods" he said.
We'll, have you it in any quality of
goods ?" asked.
Yes; we've got it finer" And he took
down piece OF calico, and unroed II yard
or two on the counter.
"Thats not the shade" said.
mo" said he. 1.-THE goods is finer and
the color is better"
IL want to match this" said.
II thought you waren't particular about
the match" said the salesman. you said
you didn't care for the quality of the goods,
and you know you can't match goods with
out you take into consideration quality and
color both. If you want that quality of goods
in red you ought to use Turkey red"
l did not think it necessary to answer this
remark, but said:
Than you've got nothing to match this ?"
mo, sir But perhaps they may have it
in the upholstery department in the sixth
story"
So got on the elevator and went up to
the top of the house.
Have you any red stuff like thisg' said
to young man.
Red stuff Upholstery departmental,
] end of this floor"